, was
brought-to within easy range, and shelling could be continued to
augment the confusion of boat-lowering in a seaway. If by resolution and
fine seamanship the boats were got away, there was further target
practice with shrapnel or machine-gun. The schooner _Jane Williamson_ of
Arklow was attacked without warning. The first shot smashed one of her
boats, the second killed one of the crew. At shouting distance--a
hundred yards range--point-blank under the submarine's gun--there could
be no question of defence or escape. The remaining five hands put over
the second boat, tumbled into her and shoved clear. To hit the boat the
submarine's gun must have been slewed deliberately from the larger
target: bad shooting could not have occurred. Afloat and helpless, a
shell struck her, killing one man outright, mortally wounding the master
and another, and damaging the frail row-boat. The Germans beckoned the
boat to them, but it was only to laugh at the throes of the dying men.
The U-boat submerged, leaving the three survivors to ship oars and face
the long weary pull towards the distant land. The _William_ was sunk by
gunfire; the gun's crew of the U-boat then loaded shrapnel and turned
the gun on the open boat, wounding a man of the crew. _Redcap_ was
hauling her trawl when without any warning shrapnel burst on board.
There was no challenge, the fishermen had made no attempt to get under
way and escape. Busied with the gear, all hands were grouped together,
when the shell exploded among them. One hand was killed instantly, the
mate's leg was blown off, two seamen were wounded. Under fire, the
survivors put the boat over and removed the wounded; the Germans gave no
thought to their distress, but centred rapid fire on the trawler, sunk
her, and disappeared.

[Illustration: A HEAVILY ARMED COASTING BARGE]

When guns were served to merchant ships, the coasters shared in their
issue. Encounters with enemy submarines were no longer one-sided and
hopeless. Effects could not be secured by the Germans at so small a
cost. Frequently the effects were those that the submarine commander was
most anxious to avoid. _Atalanta_ picked up the crew of _Marechal de
Villars_, then fought off the U-boat that had sunk that vessel. Watchers
on the coastal headlands saw many a running fight between handy little
home-traders and the under-sea pirates. Nor were the fishermen slow in
action. Once armed for defence, they proved that they could use thei